Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Today I'm resting at home. Yesterday we spent the day at Venus Bay. It was a long drive but I really needed the sea air. My rib has been really hurting this week and I just needed to get out of the house!

It was windy and there was certainly plenty of sea air to take in...so hopefully it will aid my recovery.

I can't sit comfortably for any length of time so I haven't even been in my sewing room (which still has shelves in need of fixing) and I've missed out on my usual quilting friendship groups too. I can't believe how long it's taking to feel better...:( Definitely looking forward to some WIP browsing.

Saturday, 15 September 2012

﻿This month you will choose between Violet & Pansy or Hibiscus. Of course, you may be like several of my Yahoo Bom Group members who are adventurous enough to be making both each month. I am too, because I have 2x DD's and it's hard to choose just one design each month....even for me.

Regardless of whatever else is going on, I'm always still really excited to launch each month's new block. And I'm always suprised with how quickly they get made. If you're not a member of my Yahoo Bom Group - join up and see for yourself how many talented quilters are making these blocks each month, it's inspiring!

My Violet & Pansy block this month is bright and contrasted - I wanted a vibrant block. Of course, violets and pansies come in various shades from the bright to the pastel and delicate, so you can select your own colours to suit your background. I know many of you are looking at the blocks you've made so far and thinking about the tone, colour balance and overall 'look' as you put your blocks beside each other and try to envision what the finished quilt top will look like...luckily you have much scope to adapt these blocks to suit your own style.

There's quite a bit of fussy cutting for me this month

I decided to stashbust this month and found the perfect yellow in this scrap piece. So I will be taking the yellow from here for my Hibiscus block. It's such a lovely yellow.

And I really like the green I settled on for the leaves as well.

The 'green' each month is becoming as important a choice as the flower heads.

Actually, I've found that in the making and then in looking over everyone elses blocks each month, green is such an important ongoing colour in the overall quilt look. Apart from the various shades of green being used, a strong green can tone down some bright flowers and a lighter green can really pick up some pastel flowers so that they don't appear drab.

We're reaching an exciting part in the mystery, where you have enough blocks so far to get a feel for your quilt top...but really no idea as to what's coming next!

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

It feels really good today, knowing that this cute bear is on his way to his new home.

I don't like keeping my bears boxed up and it always feels so nice to send them on to a home where they're wanted. And one less boxed bear is more WIP space for me. No I haven't tidied my studio up yet because of my cracked rib, so I've been catching up on my reading.

Monday, 10 September 2012

Things have been very quiet in my world these last 2 weeks, as unfortunately I have lapsed back into the flu. I'm feeling awful and this time around it's much worse as I discovered yesterday that I have a cracked rib!

I've never had a broken bone before, so this has come as a big shock. I've been in a lot of pain, but was really suprised to hear that I'd cracked a rib. I don't know how or when it happened - which seems impossible, but I really haven't injured or hurt myself. My Dr. thinks it happened when I coughed too severely during my new bout of flu...which I can't believe is possible....but must be!

So it's rugged up, drinking tea and more rest for me. I am so sick and tired of resting. It really hasn't been my month! Hopefully I'll be on the mend...again...soon.

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Last night we awoke to a thunderous bang! What was that? We all shouted as we ran about the house trying to work out what was going on. Well, it was my fabric mountain. My shelf collapsed under the weight of all my fabric (and a few other tools stashed there) and toppled over. Hmm. I was meaning to fix that slight lean. Everything is in a heaped up mess.

So that's that. I've been putting it off. But now it's just gone too far. It looks like I'll be spending the next week or so going through everything, sorting it out and ...well....having a much needed clear out.

I will post some photos as soon as I find my camera (which I keep and charge in my sewing studio) and which I know is nestled beneath a box I need my DH to move for me.

Welcome to My Blog

Hello, I'm Esther: a textile artist & quilter. This blog is where I share my original Free BOMs, work on projects, talk quilts and experiment with new techniques.

Find my Quilt Archives at the top of this page (and don't forget to add your own linky if you've made any of my quilts yourself) or leave a comment on the Quilt Archive Page and let us know what corner of the world you're in, it's always so nice to see how widespread our Group is!

Each Wednesday you're invited to take part in my Weekly WOWs linky party as bloggers around the world drop in to share their stash busting efforts.

Visit my websitewhere you can view my quilting galleries, BOM histories and workshop info. And don't forget to join my Yahoo BOM Group where you can become a member and take part in my BOMs for free.

Current FREE BOM: Oma's Blues

Love Entwined on Pinterest

My Bookshelf

These are the books I love, rely on and know to be worth their space on my shelf.

I am currently downsizing but these books are my 'essentials' and will stay with me forever. I'm often asked which books I recommend for applique and quilting (and knitting) and I know I've scribbled titles down for people whenever I am out and about, so I'm really happy to share my bookshelf titles here.

I buy a lot of my books at the Book Depository and have done for the last 5 years, I definitely recommend them as a bookseller.

'Simply Successful Applique' by Jean Sullivan

This is a book I am always recommending - in my opinion its the only applique book a quilter needs. I've also had the pleasure of getting to know Jean online and she is as generous and thoughtful as this book is thorough and engaging. If you don't already own this title, why ever not?!

'QuiltMaking by Hand' by Jinny Beyer

I must have recommended this book at least 100 times in the last 10 years, it's an essential read for all quilters